The Ministry of Finance (MOF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), has announced the selection of eight Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) under the Bengkel Inovasi GLC (BIG) programme — marking a major milestone in the government’s mission to spark corporate innovation and deepen startup-corporate collaboration.
The announcement marks the transition of the BIG programme from design to execution, with a total of RM10.7 million in matching grants allocated. Each selected GLC will receive up to RM2 million to pilot cutting-edge technology solutions in partnership with startups and venture builders.
Launched in March 2025, the BIG programme is a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating innovation within Malaysia’s corporate sector. It is led by Cradle as the main delivery partner, supported by MOF and MOSTI.
The Selected GLCs and Their Innovation Projects
The eight GLCs selected for the inaugural cohort, along with their proposed innovation initiatives, are:
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Bank Islam – Deploying AI and behavioural technology to improve MSME financing and financial literacy through a digital finance platform.
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CelcomDigi – Integrating 5G, AI, and robotics to power next-gen logistics for a robust digital economy.
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EDOTCO – Developing a self-service analytics marketplace to optimise the utilisation of telco infrastructure.
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Malaysia Aviation Group – Leveraging AI for real-time asset tracking to enhance turnaround operations and passenger experience.
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Sime Darby Property – Using AI-driven real-time detection and multilingual alerts to strengthen on-site safety practices.
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S P Setia – Enhancing access to affordable housing through seamless, tech-driven solutions.
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Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) – Repurposing electric vehicle batteries for energy storage and creating scam-resistant digital platforms for customer protection.
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Cenviro – Manufacturing sustainable pavers using advanced technology to reduce environmental and landfill impact.
These projects are centered on the application of digital and AI technologies to improve operations, unlock new growth opportunities, and foster sustainability.
The BIG programme emphasizes co-creation, with selected GLCs working directly with startups and innovation teams over the next six months. Collaborations will follow either the Venture Client Track, the Venture Co-Creation Track, or a hybrid of both, with each culminating in a Demo Day for proof-of-concept validation and potential real-world deployment.
Cradle Group CEO Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke said the BIG programme reflects a bold new model for corporate innovation. “These GLCs are stepping up as national innovation champions — signalling a shift in how corporates view innovation: not as a peripheral activity, but as a core driver of resilience and growth,” he said. “We look forward to supporting them through the pilot and co-creation phases.”
YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, emphasized the strategic role of MOSTI and NTIS in bridging corporates and startups to accelerate deep tech adoption. “BIG reflects how a whole-of-government approach can accelerate transformative tech adoption and strengthen Malaysia’s position among the world’s top 20 startup ecosystems by 2030,” he said.
YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah, Minister of Finance II, underscored the programme’s broader ambition. “We started with a question — how can we better support GLCs to innovate and partner with startups? The results we’re seeing are encouraging. While not every idea will scale, every initiative contributes to a growing culture of experimentation and innovation,” he said.
If successful, MOF and its partners hope to expand the BIG programme beyond GLCs to the wider corporate sector. The initiative forms part of a wider push under the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) to foster a vibrant, innovation-led economy.
Startups interested in collaborating with participating GLCs are encouraged to submit their proposals via BIG’s open innovation platform at https://big.myopeninnovation.com.